50 Facts About Stranger Things Season 5

The Final Season of Stranger Things

The beloved Netflix series, Stranger Things, is gearing up for its grand finale. Fans are eagerly awaiting the conclusion of the Hawkins crew's adventures. Here are some fascinating facts about Season 5.

1. The Final Season: Season 5 will be the last installment, marking the end of an era for the Hawkins crew.
2. Episode Count: Expected to consist of eight episodes, though rumors suggest it might be divided into volumes, potentially adding up to 80 to 120 hours of content.

New Faces and Returning Characters

Season 5 promises to introduce new characters while bringing back some familiar faces.

3. New Characters: Linda Hamilton, known for her role in The Terminator, has joined the cast. Her character's role remains a mystery.
4. Eddie's Return: Joseph Quinn, who played Eddie Munson, expressed his willingness to return. However, it seems unlikely given the storyline's progression.
5. Vecna's Return: Jamie Campbell Bower, the actor behind Vecna, has confirmed his character's return. Fans can expect more of Vecna's human side and possibly a significant plot twist.

Episode Titles and Production Insights

The production of Season 5 has been a meticulous process, with intriguing episode titles and behind-the-scenes details.

6. The Crawl: The title of the first episode is "The Crawl," leaving fans to speculate about its meaning.
7. Production Timeline: Filming began on January 8, 2024, with the cast returning to Hawkins, Indiana.
8. Behind-the-Scenes: Ross Duffer's Instagram has provided glimpses into the production process, showcasing the cast's return to set.
9. Writing Process: The Duffer Brothers started working on Season 5 on August 2, 2022, and completed the grid stage of writing each episode by September 20, 2022.

Mythology and Plot Reveals

The Duffer Brothers have crafted a rich mythology for Stranger Things, with some mysteries still to be unveiled.

10. Mythology Document: Matt and Ross Duffer wrote a 25-page mythology document for Netflix to ensure the show's mysteries remain unknowable.
11. Plot Reveals: Some remaining questions from the mythology document will be answered in Season 5, setting up significant plot reveals.

Expanding the Stranger Things Universe

The Stranger Things universe continues to expand beyond the TV series.

12. London Stage Play: "Stranger Things: The First Shadow" premiered on December 14, 2023, at the Phoenix Theatre in London.

Character Inspirations and Changes

The characters of Stranger Things have evolved over the seasons, with some interesting inspirations and changes along the way.

13. Original Title: The Upside Down was originally called "The Nether," but "Upside Down" stuck due to its frequent use on set.
14. Character Inspiration: Millie Bobby Brown's performance as Eleven was inspired by E.T., with the Duffer Brothers telling her she would be an alien.
15. Joyce’s Hairstyle: Winona Ryder's hairstyle as Joyce Byers was inspired by Meryl Streep in Silkwood, Ellen Burstyn in Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore, and Marsha Mason in Max Dugan Returns and Audrey Rose.
16. Lucas’s Bandana: Caleb McLaughlin suggested that Lucas wear a bandana in Season 1, which became a memorable part of his character's appearance.
17. Steve’s Character: Steve Harrington was initially supposed to die in Season 1, but Joe Keery's charm on set led the Duffer Brothers to rewrite the script, keeping him alive.
18. Bob’s Character: Bob Newby was also supposed to die earlier but was kept around due to his popularity on set.
19. Terry Ives: Terry Ives was initially planned to sound like Murray but was scrapped and given to El's mom. Murray was introduced in the next season.

Studio Concerns and Character Survival

The show's development faced some challenges, including studio concerns and character survival decisions.

20. Studio Concerns: Before Netflix, every studio wanted the Duffers to focus exclusively on Hopper, dropping the kids from the show. However, the Duffers persisted with their original vision.
21. Eleven’s Survival: Eleven was not supposed to survive the first season, but her character's impact was so significant that she became a central figure in the show.
22. Barb’s Character: Barb was originally supposed to be one of the main characters but was reduced to a supporting role.
23. Dr. Brenner: Matthew Modine helped create his character, Dr. Brenner, who was particularly hard to write due to his limited screen time. Modine's input helped shape the character's development.
24. Hopper’s Hat: David Harbour wanted Hopper to wear a hat in homage to Indiana Jones. He even suggested a giant boulder rolling after him at one point, though it remains unclear if this was a joke.

Emotional Moments and Character Development

Season 5 is expected to deliver emotional moments and significant character development.

25. Will’s Connection: Noah Schnapp expressed hope for a coming-out scene for Will and clarity on his connection to the Mind Flayer. He also wondered why Will was the first victim and captured.
26. Vecna’s Human Aspect: Jamie Campbell Bower teased that Vecna would show more of his human aspect in Season 5, hinting at a deeper exploration of the character.
27. Dustin’s Reaction: Dustin's reaction to Eddie's death will likely be significant, given their close friendship and the emotional impact of Eddie's demise.

Nostalgic Charm and Production Details

The show's nostalgic charm and intricate production details have contributed to its success.

28. Hawkins Police Department: The Hawkins Police Department's vehicles and uniforms are identical to those used by Steven Spielberg in his films, adding to the show's nostalgic charm.
29. Season 4’s Length: Season 4 took two years to film, involving nine scripts, 800 pages, and thousands of visual effect shots. It was nearly twice the length of any previous season.
30. Christmas Lights Scene: The Christmas lights scene where Joyce communicates with Will was a last-minute change, inspired by a writer's pitch. Winona Ryder's reaction to the glowing lights became one of the show's favorite scenes.

Casting and Character Development

The casting process and character development have played a crucial role in the show's success.

31. Millie Bobby Brown’s Discovery: Stephen King discovered Millie Bobby Brown through her role in Intruders and praised her performance, calling her "terrific".
32. Winona Ryder’s Casting: Winona Ryder was convinced to play Joyce Byers after a four-and-a-half-hour meeting with the Duffer Brothers. She joined the project the next day.
33. Gaten Matarazzo’s Casting: Gaten Matarazzo was cast after the Duffer Brothers watched his first audition tape. They were immediately impressed by his unique talent and decided to put him in the show.
34. Sadie Sink and Caleb McLaughlin’s Background: Sadie Sink and Caleb McLaughlin knew each other before filming Stranger Things. They met while starring on Broadway in Les Misérables, Annie, and The Lion King, respectively.
35. Joe Keery’s Likability: Joe Keery's charm on set made him more likable than initially envisioned. The Duffer Brothers rewrote the script to keep him alive, making Steve a beloved character.
36. Matthew Modine’s Input: Matthew Modine helped create his character, Dr. Brenner, who was particularly hard to write due to his limited screen time. Modine's input helped shape the character's development.
37. Millie Bobby Brown’s Inspiration: Millie Bobby Brown’s performance was inspired by E.T., with Matt and Ross Duffer telling her she would be an alien.
38. Noah Schnapp’s Hope: Noah Schnapp expressed hope for a coming-out scene for Will and clarity on his connection to the Mind Flayer. He also wondered why Will was the first victim and captured.
39. Jamie Campbell Bower’s Tease: Jamie Campbell Bower teased that Vecna would show more of his human aspect in Season 5, hinting at a deeper exploration of the character.
40. Dustin’s Reaction to Eddie’s Death: Dustin’s reaction to Eddie’s death will likely be significant, given their close friendship and the emotional impact of Eddie’s demise.

Nostalgic Elements and Production Challenges

The show's nostalgic elements and production challenges have contributed to its unique charm.

41. Hawkins Police Department’s Uniforms: The Hawkins Police Department’s vehicles and uniforms are identical to those used by Steven Spielberg in his films, adding to the show’s nostalgic charm.
42. Season 4’s Length and Complexity: Season 4 took two years to film, involving nine scripts, 800 pages, and thousands of visual effect shots. It was nearly twice the length of any previous season.
43. Christmas Lights Scene Inspiration: The Christmas lights scene where Joyce communicates with Will was a last-minute change, inspired by a writer’s pitch. Winona Ryder’s reaction to the glowing lights became one of the show’s favorite scenes.

Discovering Talent and Casting Choices

The discovery of talent and casting choices have been pivotal in shaping the show's success.

44. Millie Bobby Brown’s Discovery by Stephen King: Stephen King discovered Millie Bobby Brown through her role in Intruders and praised her performance, calling her “terrific”.
45. Winona Ryder’s Casting Process: Winona Ryder was convinced to play Joyce Byers after a four-and-a-half-hour meeting with the Duffer Brothers. She joined the project the next day.
46. Gaten Matarazzo’s Audition: Gaten Matarazzo was cast after the Duffer Brothers watched his first audition tape. They were immediately impressed by his unique talent and decided to put him in the show.
47. Sadie Sink and Caleb McLaughlin’s Background: Sadie Sink and Caleb McLaughlin knew each other before filming Stranger Things. They met while starring on Broadway in Les Misérables, Annie, and The Lion King, respectively.
48. Joe Keery’s Likability on Set: Joe Keery’s charm on set made him more likable than initially envisioned. The Duffer Brothers rewrote the script to keep him alive, making Steve a beloved character.
49. Matthew Modine’s Input on Dr. Brenner: Matthew Modine helped create his character, Dr. Brenner, who was particularly hard to write due to his limited screen time. Modine’s input helped shape the character’s development.
50. Millie Bobby Brown’s Inspiration from E.T.: Millie Bobby Brown’s performance was inspired by E.T., with Matt and Ross Duffer telling her she would be an alien.

The Final Chapter Awaits

Stranger Things Season 5 promises an epic conclusion to the beloved series. With new characters like Linda Hamilton joining the cast and the return of Vecna, fans are in for a thrilling ride. The Duffer Brothers have meticulously crafted this season, ensuring all lingering questions get answered. From the first episode titled "The Crawl" to the emotional arcs of characters like Dustin and Will, every moment is set to captivate. The production timeline, starting January 8, 2024, and behind-the-scenes glimpses, add to the anticipation. With eight episodes packed with twists, nostalgia, and heartfelt moments, the Hawkins crew's final adventure will leave a lasting impact. As we gear up for this grand finale, one thing's certain: Stranger Things will go out with a bang, cementing its place in television history. Get ready for an unforgettable journey back to Hawkins.